Fire-resisting or flameproof starching composition



July 22, 1924. 1,501,911

L. D. MATHIAS FIRE RESISTING OR FLAMEPROOF STARCHING COMPOSITION Filed Dec. 27. 1921 Patented July 22, 1924.

UNITED STATES' 1,501,911 PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS D. MATEIAS, OF CHICAGO HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 VICTOR CHEMICAL WORKS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

FIBE-BESISTING OR FLAMEPROOF STARCHING COMPOSITION.

Application filedDecember 27, 1921. Serial No. 524,922;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIS D. Mx'rnms, of Chicago Heights, Cook County, Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in liire-Resisting or Flameproof Starching Compositions, of which the ollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to compositions for starching clothing, curtains and the like and for rendering the same non-inflammable or fire resisting.

As set forth in a companion application of Launcelot W. Andrews and myself, filed in the United States Patent Oflice July 5, 1919, Serial No. 308,781, I have found that fire-proofin solutions of salts containing the oxide of a fixed alkali metal, such as sodium oxide (Na O), phosphoric oxide (P 0 and boric oxide (13 0,) can be so proportioned that they are non-crystallizing, under ordinary atmospheric conditions, non-dusting and substantially neutral (or slightly aci or alkaline as desired) and can be employed for fireproofing fabrics without injuring or discolorin the same and without destroying their liability. The suitable pro ortions are in icated 1n the accompanying ia ram in which the verticals, horizontalsand iagonals represent respectively dilferent percentages of sodium oxide, phos horic oxide and boric oxide as compared with the total amount of these ingredients. As noted on the diagram, the area dotted with circles indicates non-crystallizin mixtures and that dotted in points, d' cultly crystallizing mixtures. The zone between the lines c-c and d-d indicates substantially neutral mixtures, those above the line cc belng alkaline, and those below the line H being acid, and those lying on the line e-e being strictly neutral. Also, as set forth in the application referred to, the mixtures can be formed in different ways, but preferably various sodium phosphates, borax and boric acid are employed.

I have found further'that these mixtures, and particularly those which are substantlally neutral or only slightly acid or alkaline, can be combined with starch and satisfactorily employed in the ordinary laundaring process for starching and, at the same time, fireproofing fabrics such as curtains, children s which are customarily treated with starch. For articles which are ironed, the mixtures dresses and other articles should also contain a suitable lubricant, such as powedered talc.

While various materials, for example the hydrated forms of the oxides specified may be employed in forming mixtures having the desired proportions of the essential fireproofing ingredients, preferably, however mono-sodium phosphate, since readily soluble, is employed in admixture with sufficient borax to render the compositionjneutral or substantially so, or, if desired, slightly, alkaline or slightly acid, and these ingredients are mixed 1n dry powdered form with starch and powdered talc. In place of the monosodium hosphate and borax, use could be made of di-sodium hosphate and boric acid, or monoand di-sodium phosphates with either borax or boric acid, 01" both, could be employed.

The materlals and parts by weight may be as follows:

"water. The full amount of water, boiling hot, is then added and, if necessary, the mixture is he'ated until the salts are dissolved. It is tlienf-applied to the articles of clothing or the like in the manner usually employed with an ordinary starch mixture. The powdered talc acts as a lubricant in facilitating Example I. Mono-sodium hosphate (NaH,PO;,) 9.3 Borax (Na B, .IOH O) 10.7 Starch. 3. Talc 3.

Ewampl e H. Di-sodium phosphate (Na HPO .12H O% 7 2 Boric acid (I-I,,BO,) 6.94 Starch 3. Talc 3.

Ewample Ill. Di-sodium phosphate (Na HPO,.12l-I,O)

23.18 -Borax (Na B Q,-'.10H,O) .56 Boric acid (HQBO 1.97

F 3- Talc 3.

he subsequent ironing of the treated fabics. While tale is preferred for this puriose, two or three per cent of common salt ould be used instead.

The relative percentages of the sodium .xide, phosphoric oxide and boric oxide, as ompared with the total amount of these ngredients in the examples above given are LS follows:

Example I, P,O 40.6%, Na O 30.5%, 3 28.9%; Example II, P 0 38.4%, Na,O A70, B 0 27.6%; and Example III, P 0, 16%; Na O 41%, B 0 13% and they are ndicated on the diagram at points I, II and II respectively. The proportions of these ngredients may be varied Within the limits ndicated by the dotted area in the diagram LIld the mixtures may be made strictly or :ubstantially neutral or slightly acid or alraline as desired, without destroying the tlon comprising mono-sodium phosphate and )eculiar non-crystallizing quality of the :omposition. So, also, the proportion of ltflI'Cll and talc can be varied to suit differ- :nt conditions.

I claim as my invention:

1. A fireproofing and starching composi- .ion containing as its essential ingredients L fixed alkali metal oxide, phosphoric oxide, )oric oxide and starch.

2. A fireproofing and starching composi- .i0n containing as its essential ingredients 1. fixed alkali metal oxide, phosphoric oxide, ooric oxide, starch and a suitable lubricant.

3; A fireproofing and starehing composition containing as its essential ingredients a fixed alkali metal oxide, phosphoric oxide and boric oxide in proportions to form a diliicultly crystallizing or non-crystallizing solution, and .starch.

4. A fireproofing and starching composition containing as its essential ingredients a fixed alkali metal oxide, phosphoric oxide, and boric oxide in proportions to form a non-crystallizing, substantially neutral solution, starch and powdered tale.

5. A fireproofing and starching composition comprising alkali metal phosphate, a borate and starch in substantially the proportions specified.

6. A fireproofing and starching composition comprising alkali metal phosphate, a borate starch and powdered talc in substantially the proportions specified.

7. A fireproofing and starching composiborax in proportions to form a substantially neutral, non-crystallizing solution, and starch.

8. A fireproofing and starching composition comprising mono-sodium phosphate, borax, starch and powdered tale in substantially the proportions specified.

9. A fireproofing and starching composition comprising an alkali metal phosphate and borate, in proportions to form an aqueous solution non-crystallizing under ordinary atmospheric conditions, and starch.

LEWIS D. MATHIAS. 

